SPRINGFIELD – Mercy Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus Quality” achievement award. The award recognizes the center’s commitment and success in ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

To receive the award, the center had to adhere to certain indicators and demonstrate certain compliance to measures. Measures include aggressive use of medications, such as tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation, all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.

The guidelines make use of the “teachable moment” – the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when it has been determined they are most likely to listen to and follow their health care professionals’ guidance. Studies indicate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke.

Types of strokes

HOLYOKE – In conjunction with National Stroke Awareness Month, Angela Smith, registered nurse and Holyoke Medical Center stroke coordinator, and Dr. M. Zubair Kareem, medical director, will discuss the different types of strokes, who is at risk and their treatment and outcomes on May 10 at 6 p.m. at the medical center’s Auxiliary Conference Center.

This one-hour lecture will explain the different types of stroke and who might be at risk. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (413) 534-2789.

Stroke, fractures

SPRINGFIELD – St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 1023 Parker St., will host screenings for stroke and bone fracture on June 4 by Life Line Screening.

Screenings identify potential cardiovascular conditions such as blocked arteries and irregular heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and hardening of the arteries in the legs, which is a strong predictor of heart disease. A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk is also offered.

Packages start at $149. All five screenings take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. For more information regarding the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call (877) 237-1287 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com Registration is required.

Lyme disease

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing May as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Springfield City Library will present two free programs highlighting its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

On May 7 at 6:30 p.m., Alexis Chesney, who holds a doctorate in naturopathic medicine and a master’s in acupuncture, will give a presentation on the disease transmitted through a tick bite at the Central Library Community Room, 220 State St.

For additional information about either of these events or to sign up, call (413) 263-6828, ext. 213, or sign up online at www.springfieldlibrary.org

Team Curves

AGAWAM – Curves, in the Crossroads Plaza, 16 Southwick St. in the Feeding Hills section of Agawam, will enter a team in Agawam’s first Relay for Life event at Agawam High School on May 19 and 20.

Curves will hold a shopping night for women on May 10 with vendors in support of Team Curves.

On May 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the parking lot of Crossroads Plaza, Team Curves will hold a plant sale featuring a variety of perennials from local gardeners. All proceeds benefit the Relay for Life. Donors are needed, and donations can be dropped off from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on May 12. Donors above a certain level will receive free Curves memberships. For more information, call (413) 786-0909.

Cooley event

NORTHAMPTON – Events at Cooley Dickinson Hospital include several not previously announced for this month. To register or for more information, visit the classes section at www.cooley-dickinson.org or call (888) 554-4234.

One of them includes “Beware of the Bite: What You Need to Know about Lyme Disease,” with Dr. William Swiggard, infectious diseases physician and Lyme disease specialist, on May 10 from 6 to 7 p.m., in the hospital’s Dakin Conference Room. Topics include Lyme disease prevention tips and time for questions and answers. Registration required.

Anthropolgist talk

AMHERST – Why do humans treat some animals as family members and others as sources of protein or beasts of burden? What motivates us to project human characteristics onto specific creatures? Why do some humans spend exorbitant amounts of money to compete with their animals in beauty contests and sporting trials?

Medical anthropologist Donald Joralemon, of Smith College in Northampton, will address some of these questions on May 7 at 7 p.m. at Amherst Cinema, in his introduction to the comedy “Best in Show.” The evening is part of the cinema’s Science on Screen film series. Joralemon, who chairs Smith’s anthropology department, has studied shamans on the north coast of Peru and recipients of organ transplants.

Joralemon’s abiding love for English Springer Spaniels has produced four litters for a total of 28 puppies, three of which continue to share space in his Conway home along with a newly adopted Cairn Terrier. His wife both breeds and trains Arabian and Iberian horses, five of which (plus a barn cat) round out the animal population at their farm.

Audience members will be asked to choose their own favorite among the five show dogs and their handlers in the film.

Cancer fund-raiser

The 33rd annual Jimmy Fund/Jeffrey Vinick Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled to be held at Crestview Country Club, The Ranch Golf Club, Ellington Ridge Country Club and Twin Hills Country Club on June 18.

Organized by members of the Jimmy Fund Council of Western Massachusetts, this year’s goal is to raise $450,000 for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Over the past 32 years, the tournament has raised more than $8.5 million. A catered lunch is served on each course and the day’s festivities end with a celebratory dinner and silent auction at Chez Josef in Agawam.

The tournament is held in memory of Jeffery Vinick, an 18-year-old, three-sport varsity athlete who, 30 years ago, lost his life to cancer. Jeffrey lived in Longmeadow and excelled at soccer, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Longmeadow High School in 1981 and attended Springfield College for a few months before he passed away in March 1982. A year later, the event was named in Jeffrey’s honor.

Interested golfers may contact the Jimmy Fund Golf Program at (866) 521-4653 or www.jfvinickgolf.org for more information on joining a team.